Controlling apparatus for fluid-pressure motors



F. 0. DE MILLAR CONTROLLING APPARATUSFOR FLUID PRESSURE-MOTORS Filed Feb. 20, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 //v VEN TOR F/oya 0. De MY/a/ W nn A TT'X Oct: 13, 1936. DE MlLLAR 2,057,086

CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR FLUID PRESSURE MOTORS Filed Feb 20, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVEN TOR F/oya 0. De/VH/ar;

ATT'Y Oct. 13,1936. F. 0. DE MILLAR 2,057,085

CONTROLLING APPARATUS-FOR FLUID PRESSURE MQTORS Filed Feb. 20, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 //v VENTOR, 203 F/oyc/ 0. De M/Y/a/ ATT'Y Oct.v 13, 1936. F. 0. DE MILLAR 2,057,085

CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR FLUID PRESSURE MOTORS Filed Feb. 20, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 /NVENTOR: F/oya 0. DeMfl/f BY @444. 777. 7%,-

Octi, 1936. )5 MlLLAR 2,057,086

" CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR FLUID PRESSURE MOTORS Filed Feb. 20, 1935 5 heets-Sheet 5 /NVEN7'OR-' F/oyd O DeMf/la/ i ATT'X Patented Oct. 13, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR FLUID-PRESSURE MOTORS Application February 20, 1933, Serial No 657,663

12 Claims. (01. 37-156) My invention relates to apparatus for controlling the operation of fluid-pressure motors, particularly of the hydraulic type and while I have shown my improvements adapted to road-working machinery, they may have a general application.

- One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a system of control for fluid-pressure motors including a continuously operated pump in which system provision is made for permitting the pump to operate at substantially no load when the fiuidspressure motor is inactive.

' Another object of the invention is the provision of means for permitting a fluid-pressure pump to be operated continuously at substantially no load when the fluid-pressure motor to which it is connected is inactive and to automatically limit the pressure which can be applied to such fluid-pressure motor.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved and eflicient fluid-pressure motor mechanism for adjusting various parts of a roadworking machine and banking the controlling valves in one position at the operator'sstation to secure quickness and accuracy in the operation of the adjustments. v

A further object of the invention is the provision of a manifold for a plurality of controlling valves in a system of control of fluid-pressure motors located at various distances from the manifold.

Another object of the invention is the provision in road-working apparatus of means for controlling from a single operators station a plurality of hydraulic motors distributed about the machine and automatically limiting the hydraulic pressure which may be exerted in any of the hydraulic motors. Another object of the invention is the provision in a road grader of controlling apparatus for double acting hydraulic motors distributed about the machine, which controlling apparatus shall include a plurality of valves banked at the operators station to enable the operator to actuate such valves at such station to effect desired adjustments of various parts of the machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of hydraulic steering mechanism for a vehicle combined with valvemechanismlocated at the operators station at the rear end'of the machine for enabling a continuously operated pump to supply pressure whenever desired to effect the steering operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a road grader of a plurality of hydraulic motors for adjusting the height and lateral positions of a mold board combined with a plurality of valves at the operators station at the rear end of the machine to accurately control said hy-' draulic motors and effect locking thereof in ad- Justed positions.

Other objects of the invention will appear here- 'inafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation of a road grading machine illustrating one of the adaptations of my improvements;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the machine shown inFig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view partly in section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the manifold with the automatic valve and the manually operated valves mounted thereon;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the automatic valve taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of one of the manually operated valves taken on the' line 1-1 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the piping and showsthe parts in their positions when the manually controlling valvesare closed and the pump is operating at substantially no load; and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view similar to that shown in Fig. 8 illustrating the positions of the parts when the hydraulic motor piston reaches the end of its stroke and ,the liquid is being bypassed through the automatic valve while the main valve is still open.

The machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a vehicle frame H mounted on the front wheels l2, l2 and rear wheels l3, l3. The frame ll comprises longitudinal spaced-apart beams l4, M which are rigidly connected by the tubular crosspieces l5, l6 and I1.

As shown in Fig. 4 the forward ends of the beams i4, M are connected by a U-shaped yoke i9 which rests upon a supporting frame 20 having depending angle irons 2|, 2| secured at their lower ends to the axle-tree 22 on the ends of which are pivoted at 23, 23 the axles for the front wheels l2, l2. These axles are provided with vertical arms 24, 24 to the upper ends of which are pivoted the cross-piece 25.

Between one of the angle irons 2i and one of the arms 24 is pivotally connected a hydraulic motor comprising a cylinder 26 and a piston rod 2 21. The cylinder 26 is pivoted at 26 to one of the angle irons 2| and the piston rod 21 is pivoted at 28 to the right-hand vertical arm 24'as viewed in Fig. 4. As hereinafter explained, the hydraulic motor comprising the cylinder 26 is double acting in that the liquid flows into and out of the cylinder on both sides of the piston v therein and therefore when the leaning of the wheels I2 is', adjusted they may be locked in adjusted positions by closing the valve controlling the flow of the liquid in'the cylinder 28.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a pull type grader having a vehicle tongue 29 secured at 38 to a vertical post 3|, the upper end of which is pivoted at 32 to the frame 28 and the lower end .of which is pivoted at 33 to the front axle-tree 22.

A cross-piece 34 secured to the tongue 29, as

shown in Fig. 2, provides at its ends pivotal supports at 35, 36 for the cylinders 31, 38 of hydraulic motors comprising piston rods 31', 38", the outer ends of which are pivoted at 48, 4| to the front axle-tree 22. While in some instances one double acting hydraulic motor comprising a cylinder, a

piston and a piston rod may be employed, I prefer to use two hydraulic motors symmetrically arranged as shown in Fig.2.

. "As shown in Figs. 1 .and 2, a cross plate 42 is secured to the upper sides of the forward ends of the side beams I4, I4 andsecured to this plate Bil-which is connected at its front end to the I 42 and depending therefrom is a vertical fixed bearing rod 43, the .lower end of which is provided with aretaining cap 44 as shown in Fig. 4.

When the hydraulic steering mechanism is operated 'the frame 28 turns on a vertical axis at the center of the bearing 43.

Secured to the bottom of the plate 42 concentric with the bearingrod 43 is a gear housing 45. When the crank 45 is operated, worm gearing in the housing 45 turns a screw 46 in the nut '41:to which is pivoted at 48, 48 the yoke 49 which in turn is pivoted at 58 to the front end of the tongue 29. t 7

Clips 6|, 6| are relied on to secure four flexible conduits 62, 63 and 64, 65 to the plate 58. The conduits 62, 63 are connected to the steering motors 31 and 38 and the conduits 64, 85 are connectedto the motor 26 for adjusting, the leaning of the front wheels I2.

Mounted on a cross-piece 66 on the forward portion of the, frame II are two metal pipes 61 and 68 which are respectively connected to the flexible. conduits 62 and 63. The metal pipes .61 and 68 extend to the rear portion of the frame II wherethey are connected directly to the valve manifold as hereinafter more fully explained.

Secured rigidly'to the rear ends of thelongitudinal beams I4 is a guide frame 82 comprising angle irons 83, 83 as shownin Fig. 3. Guides are provided at 85, 86 for the transverse members 81, 81 of the rear wheel supporting frame. The axles 88, 88 for the rear wheels I3, I3 are pivoted at 89, 89 at the ends of the frame 81. Se-

98' would be locked in adjusted positions.

cured to the rear wheel axles are vertical crank arms 98, 98, the upper ends of which are pivoted at 9|, 9I to the cross-piece 92.

A vertical bracket plate 93 is secured to the frame 81 and to its upper end at 94 is pivoted a cylinder 95 of a hydraulic motor comprising a piston rod 96, the outer end of which is pivoted at 9| to the upper end of the crank arm 98 as shown in Fig. 3.- The hydraulic motor comprising the cylinder 95 is double acting in that the liquid flows to and from the cylinder 95 on both sides of the piston therein and the controlling valve is such that when it is closed the crank arms 98, The leaning of the rear wheels may therefore be adjusted by means of the hydraulic motor 95 and locked in adjusted position.

In order to shift the rear end of the frame II relatively to the rear wheels a hydraulic motor comprising a cylinder 91 may be connected between the frame II and the frame 81. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the cylinder 91 may bepivoted at 98 to the frame 81 and the piston rod 99 pivoted at I 88 to the bracket I8I secured to the rear end ofone of the beams I4, I4;

Referring now to the road-working implement comprising a mold board or scraper I85 and the structure for supporting the same, it will be seen that the drawbar comprises spaced-apart members 186, '81 which diverge rearwardly and have secured to the rear portions thereof a supporting circular guide I88 for supporting and guiding the circle frame I89 on which the mold board I85 is mounted. By means of gearing |I8 connected by links. III and universal joints 2 to the wheel II 3 at the operator's station, the circle I89 and the mold board I85 may be adjusted angularly relative to the path of travel of the road grading machine. By means of the pull handle II4 connected by the'rod H5 to the latch mechanism .II6 the mold board may be releasably lockedin'adjusted angular position. The mechanism for swinging the mold board on a vertical axis to adjust the angularity thereof, and the releasable latch mechanism 6, are of well-known construction.

It should be understood that the circular guide frame I88 isrigidly secured to the longitudinal members I86 and I81 of the drawbar 5| and therefore this circular frame I88 moves bodily with the drawbar, and the mold board I85 moves bodily with the guide frame I88 and the drawbar 5|.

To diametrically opposite sides of. the circular guide frame I88 are connected by means of universal joints 1 and'II8 the lower ends of extensible'hanger rods H9 and I28. Each hanger rod comprises a lower rod I 2| telescoping into a pipe rod |22.- Holes I23, I23 in the pipe I22 are adapted to register with a transverse hole in the rod I2I and a pin relied on to connect the 7 rod I2I to the pipe I22 after the length of the hanger has been adjusted. While in Fig. 1 provision is made for two different lengths of 'the hangerlIIS there may be more than two holes I23 if desired.

The upper ends of the hangers H9 and I28 are connected by the universal joints I24 and I25 to thecrank arms I26 and I21'which extend laterally from the, longitudinal rockshafts I 28 and the rear ends of the rockshafts I28 and I29 are meshing with the transverse rack bar I52.

the cranks I26 and I21 and the main frame II when such cranks are swung downwardly. To

connected the laterally.extending crank arms I34, I35 which are connected at their outer ends by means of universal joints I36, I31 to the upper ends of the piston rods I38, I38 which extend downwardly into the cylinders I39 and I40 of hydraulic motors mounted on opposite sidesof the rear portionof the frame I I as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The lower ends of the cylinders I39 and I40 are pivoted at I4I, I42 to brackets depending from the beams I4.

The hydraulic motors comprising the cylinders I39 and I40 are preferably double acting under control of valves located at the operators station. Consequently, when the mold board has been adjusted it may be locked in adjusted position against both up and down movements.

The mold board may be shifted laterally relatively to the frame II by means of the hydraulic motor comprising the cylinder I44 and connections between the same and the rear end of the drawbar 5I. The upper end of the cylinder I 44 is pivoted at I45 to a bracket I46 mounted on the cross-tube I1 as shown in Figs. 1 and.2.

The piston rod I41 is connected to a rack bar I41 WhiChjS guided by a roller I48 and which meshes with the pinion I49 secured to a shaft to the lower end of which is secureda gear I5I The rack bar I52 is supported by and guided along a transverse rail I secured to the lower sides of the beams I4 as shown in Fig. 1.

Between a pair of lugs I53 is pivoted at I54 a clevis I55 and the latter is pivoted on an upright axis to a rod I56 which is adapted to slide in the longitudinal guide I51 on the bottom of the plate I58. The plate I58 is pivoted at I59 I The latch mechanism may be released manually machine frame II.

i It should be understood that the shifting of the mold board laterally and the adjustment thereof vertically may be effected by hydraulic motor mechanism entirely. The construction is such that the mold board may be moved by means of the hydraulic motor mechanism to high-lift or bank-sloping position on either side of the machine. Since the hydraulic motors are double acting they may be relied upon to lock the mold board at adjusted elevation whether occupying a horizontal position or occupying a high-lift or bank-sloping position.

The internal combustion engine I16 and the pump I11 to which it is connected, are mounted on suitable supporting framework at the rear end of the machine frame II as shown in Fig. 3. The fluid-pressure medium, such as oil, is drawn from the supply tank I18 by the pump I11 and forced through the various pipes or conduits shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

The valvesfor the respectivehydraulic motors are banked in a single position adjacent to the operators station at the platform 15 which is located at the rear end of the machine. Inasmuch as the machine shown in Fig. 1 includes six adjusting hydraulic motors and one double steering hydraulic motor mechanism, I have shown seven controlling valves each having the construction shown in Fig. '1 and each comprising a valve housing I19 mounted on a manifold I19. Each valve may be manually operated by means of a handle I80. By referring to Figs. 2 and 5 it will be seen that the end knobs I8I and I82 may be connected to levers for operating valves to control the motors I39 and I40. The

'knob I83 may be connected to the front leaning wheel motor 26 through pipes corresponding to pipes 61 and 68 and positioned behind these pipes as viewed in Fig. 1. One of the pipes connecting knob I83 and motor 26 is shown at 64' in Fig.

2, the corresponding pipes being beneath pipe 64' in Fig. 2 and therefore not visible. The knob I84 may be connected to the valve for controlling the motors 31 and 38 to operate them in opposite directions so that whenever the piston rod 31 is moved in one direction, the other piston rod 38' may be moved in the opposite direction.

The knob I85may be connected to the valve for controlling the motor I44. The knob I86 may be connected to the valve for controlling the rear shifting motor 91. The knob I81 may be connected to the valve for controlling the rear leaning wheel motor 95.

The rotary gear pump I11 is connected by means of the suction pipe I88 to the supply tank I18.

liquid is under pressure in the pipe I89; Inasmuch as it isdesirable to operate the pump at substantially no load when all of the motor controlling valves are closed, a regulating valve device I90 is connected between the supply pipe I89 and the tank I18 by means of the branch pipes I9I and I92 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Assuming that the manually operated controlling valves on the manifold I19 at the operators station are all closed, the valve I93 in the valve block I94 will be in open position as' shown in Fig. 8 permitting the liquid from the supply pipe I89 to flow through the branch pipes I9I and I92 into the tank I18 at very little or no load on the pump and consequently the pump may be operated continuously with the consumption of a minimum amount of fuel during operation of the road grader with the various devices thereon locked'and held in adjusted positions. It should be understood that the valve I93 is held in the open position shown in Fig. 8 with very little hydraulic pressure since I have eliminated the ordinary spring-pressed check valve across a pump which requires the latter to operate under considerable pressure when no hydraulic motor is active.

The supply pipe I95 as shown in Fig. 8 is connected to the longitudinal horizontal passageway I96 which extends along the longitudinal center line of the manifold I19. The lower side of each of the valve housings I19 is provided with a port I91 which communicates with the common supply passageway I96 in the manifold I19. A common exhaust or return passageway I98 extends longitudinally of the manifold block I19 as shown in Fig. 7 and communicates with the return pipe I99which is connected to the supply tank I18 as shown in Fig. 8. Each of the valve housings I19 is provided with a port 200 in com- Since the pump I11 is operated continu- 'ously by the internal combustion engine the 1 lower ports m and zoo in the bottom or the valve housing I18' may respectively communicate with the passageways I86 and I88 by means of vertical ports 20I and 202 extending from the top of the manifold block I18 to the longitudinal passageways I88 and I88 as shown in Fig. '1.

Extending from each of the adJusting motors and the pair of steering motors is a pair of pipes which are connected to the manifold block I18 as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. For instance, the motor I40 has connected to the ends thereot a pair 0! pipes .203 and 204 which are connected to themanifold block I18 to communicate with passageways 208 and 208 in the manifold block I18so as to register with the ports 201 and 208 in the bottom of the valve housing I18. The ports 201 and 208 register respectively with the ports 288 and 2I0 in the top of the manifold block I18.

It will thus be seen that when the valve is closed as'shown in Fig. '1 all communication is cut of! between the supply pipe I85 and the return pipe I88and so also between the supply pipe I85and the'hydraulic-motor pipes 208 and 204. The valve shown in Fig. '1 comprises two pis' tons 2H and 2I2 mounted in slide bearings 2I3 and 2 which may be integral'with the valve housing I18. A valve rod 2I5 slides through a -2I8 and 2I8 to hold the link 2" in place.

.The lever I80 is'pivoted at 22I to the lower end of a bracket arm, 222- which is secured to the valve housing I18.

The centering mechanism-for the valve'mech- 'anism shown in Fig. '1 comprises a spring 228- supported on the pivot 22I. This spring has two arms which extend upwardly to engage opposite sides of the pin 224 on the lever I80 and theopposite sides of the stationary pin 225 secured to the bracket 222. When the lever I80 is moved forwardly or rearwardly the valve mechanism is opened to direct pressure on. one side or the other of the piston in the cylinder to which the pipes 203 and 204 are connected. For instance, it the lever I80 is moved in a clock-wise direction as viewed in Fig. 'I, thepistons 2H and 2I2 will be moved toward the right to completely open the ports 201 and 208,'w hereupon supply pressure will be establishedbetween the supply pipe I85 and the pipe 204 and the pipe 203 will be placed in communication through the port 201 with the return pipe I88. If the pipe 204 is connected to the upper end of the cylinder I40 such opening of the valve mechanism shown in Fig.7 will exert pressure on the top of the piston in the cylinder I40 and the liquid below such piston will flow out through the pipe 203 to the discharge pipe I88.. When the lever I80 is released the spring 223 acts on the pin 224 to return the lever I80 to its vertical position and consequently the valve will be automatically closed and such closure will lock the piston in the cylinder I40 against movement in either direction. Therefore, when the valve is closed the mold boardwill be locked in'adjusted position.

When the lever I80 is moved in an anti-cl'ockwise direction as viewed in Fig. '1 the pistons 2H m... l... n... 1.. 4'0 nnmnletlv 2,087,088 .municatlon with the return passageway I88. The

open the ports 2'01 and 208, whereupon the supply pipe I88 will be connected to the pipe 203 and the pipe 204 will be connected'through the passageway 228 to the port 200 and thence to the discharge'pipe I88. Again, when the lever I80 is released the spring 223 acts to automatically close the ports 201 and 208, thereby locking the piston inthe cylinder to which the pipes 203 and 204 areconnected.

The valves to which the actuating knobs I8I, I82, I83, I84, I88, I86 and I81 are connected each individually control amotor except in the case of the steering mechanism in connection with which one valve controls the operation of the two motors 31 and 38 in opposite directions. v

Each set of valve pistons is provided with a central longitudinal bore 221 which receives the stationary pipe 228 fixed at its right-hand end as shown in Fig; '7 to the cap 228 which inturn is secured in an opening in the right-hand end of the housing I18 as viewed in Fig. '1, with a liquid tight fit.

The outer end of the stationary tube-228 is connected to a pipe 230. The latter is in communication with all of the stationary pipes in the various valves mounted on the manifold block I18, as shown in Fig. 5. A T-coupling 230' also connects the pipe 230 with the passageway 23I in the regulatingvaive block I84 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

When the'lever I80 is in its extreme right-hand position the port 232 in the connector 233 between the pistons 2H and 2I2 registers with the port 234 in the tube 228, thereby establishing communication between the supply pipe I85 and ;the passageway 23I in the pressure regulating device I80 through the pipe 230. In the same manner, when the lever I80 is in its extreme lefthand position the port 232 registers with the port 238 in the tube 228. It will thus be seen that whenever the valve mechanism shown in Fig. 7

flow pressure in the pipes I81 and I82 although very low to enable the pump to operate at substantially no load, will be sufllcient to hold the valve I83 in its upper position with the port 238 wide open. When the valve shown in Fig. '1 and in the upper right-hand corner of Fig. 8 is moved to open position, suiilcient pressure will be exerted through the pipe I85, ports 232, 284 or-235, pipes 228, 230, and passageway 23I, to act on the upper side of the valve I83 to cause the latter to move down and close the port 238. Since the return flow pressure while the port 238 and the manually operated valve mechanism are open, is sub- 183 as viewed in Fig. 6. That isto say, after the port 238 is closed the hydraulic pressure exerted on the lower end of the valve I83 is less than'the hydraulic pressure exerted on the upper end thereof. Therefore, as soon as the valve I83 closes the port 238, pressure will be built up by continued operation of the pump I 11 to effect movement of the piston I40 in the cylinder I40. The pressure regulating device I80 therefore -operates automatically as soon as one of the manually operated valves is opened to close the communication between the return pipes I9I and I92 and compels the pump I" to force the liquid under operating pressure into one-end or the other of the cylinder I40. It should be understood that only one regulating device I90 need be used for a plurality of motors and manual controlling valve devices. For instance, in Fig.5 I have shown one hydraulic pressure regulating device I90 and seven manually operated valve devices.

When the piston I40 reaches the end of its stroke and the manually operated valve is still in open position, the pressure on the piston I40 will be limited by the ball check valve mounted in the valve I93. This ball check valve comprises a ball 239 urged by a spring 240 to close the auxiliary port *2 in the upper end of the valve I93. The strength of the spring 240 is such that the port 24I will remain closed so-long as a predetermined operating pressure is exerted in the cylinder I40. Ifthe mold board should meet an obstruction or if the piston in the cylinder reaches either limit of its stroke, the pressure in the cylinder will be limited by the opening of the port 24I, whereupon the flow of liquid will be bypassed through the pipe 230, the passageway 23I, the port 24I, the central bore in the valve I93, the inclined openings 242 in the lower end of the valve I 93, into the passageway 243 and thence into the return pipe I99. During such by-passing of the liquid the port 239 is maintained closed and suflicient pressure continues to be exerted in the cylinder I 40 to hold the mold board in adjusted position and when the operator releases the lever I 8.0 the valve 2| I, 2I2 will be automatically closed and the piston I40 locked against return movement. But the hydraulic pressure in the pipe 230 may at any time be determined by the operator at his station by observing the pressure gauge 246 shown in Figs. 3, 8 and 9.

After the ball check valve has been opened as lustrated in Fig. 9 and the manually operated alve is closed, assuming that all of the other anually operated valves are also closed, the pressure in the pipe 230 from the pump IT! is cut off. As soon as this occurs, an impulsive force on the lower end 239 of the valve I93 will move the latter upwardly while the liquid in the chamber 231 escapes past the ball 239. into the central bore of the valve I 93, and after the port 239 is fully opened by such impulsive force the check valve ball 239 will automatically close the seat 245 is mounted. The framework of the road grading machine is of such open construction that the operator at the station I on the rear end of the machine may always have under his observation the adjustments which he is eiTecting by operation of the manual valves mounted on the manifold I19. The piping connections between the banked valves and the hydraulic motors are all direct, with the conduits between the valves and the motor cylinders free and unobstructed. The valves may always be moved very accurately to full open positions in either direction and the centering springs 223 relied on to always accurately move the valves back to central positions where they will fully close all of the ports between the supply pipe I95 and the discharge pipe I99. The piping connections between the pump and the manual valves and between the latter and the hydraulic motors are always completely filled and therefore whenever a manual valve is opened the motor to which it is connected will be immediately responsive.

The capacity of the pump I1! is preferably such as to enable the operator to effect the operation of a plurality of hydraulic motors at the same time. For instance, he may control the leaning of the front and rear wheels simultaneously by means of the motors 26 and 95. Furthermore, he may in adjusting the mold board to a high-lift or bank cutting position, operate the motors I39, I40 and I44 at the same time.

Pressure gauge 246 may be provided to determine that the pump is operating properly.

While I have shown a pull type grader, it should be understood that my improvements are also applicable to a road grader of the self-propelling type embodying an internal combustion engine as the power plant connected to rear traction wheels.

I do not claim' herein broadly means located at a single station for operating valves to control adjusting hydraulic motors distributed in a road-working machine, nor the mechanism herein disclosed for enabling the mold board to operate in high-lift or bank-sloping position, as well as in horizontal position, as such construction is the invention of Franklin E. Arndt and disclosed and claimed in his co-pending application, Ser. No. 654,901 filed February 2, 1933 for an Improvement in road graders. My improvements include the pressure regulating device illustrated in Fig. 6, the manually operated valve structure shown in Fig. 7, the manifold for banking the valves themselves at the single operator's station as illustratedin Figs. 1, 2 and 5, and the adaptation of these structures to road-working machinery to enable the latter to be operated accurately and efllciently and without exerting undue strain thereon, but nevertheless locking the various ad- .iustable parts in adjustedpositions and enabling the pump to be operated continuously at substantially no load when the hydraulic motors are inactive so that during the operation of the roadworking machine after the adjustments have been made the internal combustion engine for continuously driving the pump will consume a minimum amount of fuel.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and I wish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, what'I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. In road-working apparatus, the combination with a vehicle, of a motor mounted thereon, mechanism adjustable by said motor, a pump, means for continuously operating said pump, and pump by-pass mechanism comprising a plunger urged to closing position solely by the influence of gravity, said plunger including a reverse check valve device to minimize the shock and jar when said mechanism is stopped in adjusted position.

tion with a wheel-supported frame, of an operators platformthereon, an auxiliary frame on said platform, a fluid'pressure pump mounted on said wheel-supported frame, an engine for driving said pump, fluid-pressure motors on said wheel-supported frame, devices connected to said fluid-pressure motors for adjustment thereby, a pressure regulator comprising a valve for controlling a low pressure by-pass for said pump, a plurality of valve structures one for each of said fluid pressure motors, means comprisinga manifold serving as a forward cross-piece for said auxiliary frame to afford a support for said valve structures and said pressure regulator and to also 7 afford fluid pressure conduits for said by-pass and operating the'pump continuously, a low pressure by-pass'for enabling said pump to idle at substantially no load, a delivery conduitbetween said pump, and said manifold, a pressure regulator comprising a valve biased to a by-pass closing position for controlling said low-pressure bypass, and means connected between said pressure regulator and said operating valves for causing said by-pass valve to close the by-pass when one of said operating valves is moved to position to effect operation of its corresponding motor and for causing said by-pass'valve .to open said bypass when such operated valve .is moved back to initial position.

4. In a road building machine, the combination with a vehicle, of road working apparatus mounted thereon, a plurality of fluid pressure motors for efiecting adjustments of said road working apparatus, a pump, an engine connected to the pump to operate the same, a plurality of separate valve structures one for each of said motors, an integral manifold block afiording support for said valve structures in banked relation and also affording passageways for connections between'the pump and said valve structures and between'the latter and said motors, means for separately securing said valve structures to the outside of said manifold block with the ports in each valve structure establishing communication with predetermined passageways in said manifold block, and a plurality of valve actuating devices one for each of said valve structures and each within reach of the operator at a single station on the vehicle. 7

5.-In a one-man hydraulic road grader, the

combination with a wheeled supporting frame, of hydraulically operated mechanism for steering the machine, hydraulically operated mechanism for leaning the wheels of the machine, hydraulically operated mechanism for shifting the rear end of the frame relatively to the rear wheels, a hydraulic pump connected to the aforesaid hydraulically operated mechanisms, a platform on said frame for the operator, controlling valves for said hydraulically operated mechanisms, means for supporting said controlling valves in 2. In a road-working machine, the combina banked position adjacent to said platform, a low pressure by-pass for the pump, a valve for controlling said by-pass, means connected to the supply line for effecting closure of said by-pass valve line when said pump is operatively connected to any of said hydraulically operated mechanisms and to permit opening of said bypass valve to afford free and unobstructed flow of fluid through said by-pass while said pump is idling and continuously driven but disconnected from all of said hydraulically operated mechanisms.

6, In a road-working machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a road-working implement mounted thereon, a plurality of motors on said frame to effect various adjustments including adjustment .of said road-working implement, a'plurality of separate valve structures one for each of said motors and each comprising a valve block having a plurality of. ports on its under side, an integral manifold block having longitudinal supply and exhaust passageways and a plurality of pairs of transversely extending passageways one pair for each of said motors, means for detachably securing the separate valve blocks separately to the top of; said manifold block with the ports on the undersides of said valve blocks registering with ports leading from said passageways to the top side of said manifold block, and valve actuating devices one for each of said valve structures and within reach of the operator at a single station on the machine.

7. In a road-working machine, the combination with a supporting-frame, of road-working apparatus mounted thereon, a plurality of fluidpressure motors for effecting adjustments of said road-working apparatus, a plurality of controlling valves one for each of said motors, a pump, a low-pressure by-pass for the pump, an automatic valve biased to a closed position for controlling said low-pressure'by-pass, and means connected between said automatic valve and all of said controlling valves to effect automatic closure of said automatic valve and the closure of said low-pressure by-pass when any one of said controlling valves connects the pump to its corresponding motor.

8. In a road-working machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a fluid-pressure motor mounted on said frame for adjusting a part of the machine, said motor-comprising a cylinder and a piston, a pump, means for operating said pump continuously, a valve connected between said pump and said motor to control the starting and stopping of the latter to effect such adjustment, a supply reservoir, a low-pressure by-pass between the pump and said reservoir, an automatic valve for controlling said by-pass, means operative upon movement of said controlling valve to position for starting said motor for effecting automatic closure of said by-pass valve, and means comprising said automatic valve for effecting by-passing of the fluid when the piston. reaches the end of its stroke and said controlling valve remains in operating position.

'9. A road working machine comprising the combination with a supporting frame, of a steering wheel for guiding and'supporting said machine, a hydraulic motor for operating said steering wheel to effect a steering operation, a pump, means for operating said pump continuously, means including a valve connected between the pump and the motor for controlling the starting and stopping of the latter, a pressure regulator comprising a valve biased to a closing position for controlling a by-pass around said pump, said by-pass being free and unobstructed when said last-named valve is open and the pump is idling, and means for eifecting automatic closure of said by-pass valve, said means comprising a conduit connected to the pump pressure supply line when said first-named valve is in a position to effect operation of said motor.

10. A road working machine comprising the combination with a wheeled supporting frame including a steering wheel, of, a hydraulic motor system for adjusting said wheel to a desired position and maintaining it in an adjusted position, said system comprising, a hydraulic motor, a pump, means for operating said pump continuously, conduits connecting said motor and said pump, a motor control valve interconnected between said motor and said pump by said conduits, said valve being effective in its neutral position to trap fluid in both the intake and outlet of said motorand to disconnect effectively said motor and said pump, said valve being operative to connect said motor and pump for operation of the former when moved from its neutral position to an operative position, a by-pass around said pump, a by-pass valve for controlling said bypass which valve is biased to by-pass closing position by gravity but is maintained open by the pressure supplied by said pump when said motor control valve is in neutral position whereby said pump will operate at substantially no-load, and means comprising a fluid-pressure conduit leading from said motor control valve to said by-pass valve adapted to efiect closure of said by-pass valve when said motor control valve is moved to an operative position.

11. A road working machine comprising the combination with a frame, of a pair of rear wheels for supporting said frame, a hydraulic motor system for adjusting said wheels laterally and maintaining them in a desired position, said system comprising, a hydraulic motor, a pump, means for operating said pump continuously, conduits connecting, said motor and said pump, a motor control valve interconnected between said motor and said pump by said conduits, said valve being effective in its neutral position to trap fluid at substantially no-load, and means comprising a fluid pressure conduit leading from said motor control valve to said by-pass'valve adapted to eifect closure of said by-pass valve when said mo- Err control valve is moved to an operative posi- 12. A road working machine comprising the combination with a frame, of a pair of rear wheels for supporting said frame, a hydraulic motor system for tiltably adjusting said wheels about a horizontal axis and maintaining them in a desired position, said system comprising, a hydraulic motor, a pump, means for operating said pump continuously, conduits connecting said motor and said pump, a motor control valve interconnected between said motor and said pump by said conduits, said valve being effective in its neutral position to trap fluid in both the intake and outlet of said motor and to disconnect effectively said motor and said pump, said valve being operative to connect said motor and pump for operation of the former when moved from its neutral position to an operative position, a bypass around said pump, a by-pass valve for controlling said by-pass which valve is biased to bypass closing position by gravity but is maintained open by the pressure supplied by said pump when said motor control valve is in neutral position whereby said pump will operate at substantially no-load, and means comprising a fluid pressure conduit leading from said motor control valve to said by-pass valve adapted to efiect closure of said by-pass valve when said motor control valve is moved to an operative position.

FLOYD 0. DE MJLLAR. 

